The Official Blog of Tiger Home Services

Category Archives: AC

Introducing Tiger Home Awareness Solutions

Did I forget to shut the garage door? Was my package delivered? Is my home secure? Homeownership comes with all kinds of questions, concerns and responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice if things were a little easier? Be aware with a smart home from Tiger Home Awareness.

Tiger Home Awareness and Automation Solutions will take away many of the worries that come with owning your home. Imagine how much easier it would be to control lights and lock doors with an app on your phone? Or the peace of mind that would accompany the ability to keep an eye on children, elderly relatives or pets when you are not home. How much more secure would your home be if you could monitor and even interact with people who visit your home with a two-way camera?

Be In Control Anywhere, Anytime

First, you will have control of your home’s automation through an app that you can easily install on your Smartphone.

Next, conveniently located cameras and sensors will allow you to monitor suspicious activity on your property and the coming and goings of visitors.

Furthermore, you can customize alerts that are sent to your phone, which makes it easier to stay up to date on the happenings in your home.

And, easily keep an eye on children or elderly relatives while you are away from home.

A leaking Air Conditioning Unit poses several concerns and is a major sign that something is wrong with your system. Leaking AC units can cause water damage and even a fire if it gets near electrical equipment.

So why do leaks happen in an Air Conditioning Unit anyway?
Here are some possible reasons:

-Frozen evaporator coils

If the evaporator coils form ice on them, this build-up can melt and overflow from your drain pan.

There are three main causes of a frozen coil:

1. Dirty filter: If your filter becomes dirty, it will slow the airflow through the coil, causing it to get too cold and possibly form ice on the surface. An easy way to avoid this outcome is to replace your filter as recommended by the manufacturer.

2. Low pressure in the refrigerant lines: If there is not enough refrigerant in your unit, the pressure will lower. This will reduce the coil’s ability to remove heat from the air, which causes the coil to freeze. Low refrigerant levels can cause some serious damage to your compressor so you will need to turn off your Air Conditioning Unit and call us immediately!

3. Issues with the fan: If you notice low airflow coming through your vents in addition to the frozen coil, issues with your fan are likely the cause. Shut off your Air Conditioning Unit right away and call us to correct the problem.

-Condensation issues

Air Conditioning Units do more than simply keep the air in your home cool. They also help remove the humidity as well. This is done by removing condensation. If condensation is building up and overflowing, you might have condensate drainage problems. Here are three possible reasons why:

1. A blockage in the condensate drain: a blockage will cause a backup. Clear the drain if you can or call us to clean the line for you.

2. A damaged drain pan: your drain pan might be cracked and leaking condensation. It is often best to replace a damaged drain pan, to avoid future issues.

3. A broken condensation pump: depending on where your Air Conditioning Unit is located, you might have a pump that removes the condensation. If this pump becomes broken, water can build up and overflow. Which means you will need to replace the pump.

Call us at (866)844-3770 of you notice that your
Air Conditioning Unit is Leaking!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

The summer’s heat and humidity have arrived and with them comes the need to cool your home around the clock. This constant cooling of your home will undoubtedly cause an increase in your monthly utility bills. Cooling your home really is not optional when the temperatures start hitting the 90’s, but you do have some methods you can use to help keep the cooling bill lower.

Six Tips to Cut Cooling Costs

1. Utilize Ceiling Fans:

Ceiling fans help your air conditioning system by taking on some of the work. By circulating the cool air in your home, your AC will not have to work as hard to keep you cool and comfortable.

2. Seal Leaky Windows

Windows that are poorly sealed and leaking air are inefficient and they are costing you more money when you are running your AC. Utilizing weather strips and caulk to seal up any leaks will help save you money on your cooling bill.

3. Replace Your Furnace Filter Regularly

The air filter in your furnace will naturally become dirty over time. Dust, pet hair and debris are just some of the elements that can cling to your filter, slowing the air flow. Thus, a dirty filter will cause your air conditioner to work harder, to move cool air throughout your home. It is best to change your filter as recommended by the manufacturer.

4. Close Your Curtains

This is probably the easiest cooling cost-cutting task you can perform. When sunlight pours into your home, it warms it. So, by simply closing your curtains, especially those where the sun beams in the brightest, will help keep your home cooler.

5. Have a Programmable Thermostat Installed

Programmable thermostats are extremely useful little gadgets. They allow you to reduce the amount of energy needed to cool your home and make sure your home is still comfortable when you get home. You program these thermostats to adjust the temperature to a comfortable level when you are home and set it to run less often when you are not there. No more wasting extra money cooling your home, when no one is there. You can see real savings on your monthly energy bill by simply adjusting your thermostat seven to ten degrees, eight hours a day when no one is home.

6. Have Your AC Inspected Annually

Having your air conditioning unit serviced once a year is one of the best ways to ensure that your equipment is running as efficiently as possible, which will save you more money on your cooling bill. Call on the experts at Team Tiger to perform your annual AC Super Tune-Up and Safety Inspection today at (866) 844-3770 and be ready for whatever summer throws your way.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

These past few weeks have brought a lot of rain and storms to the area. In addition to all of these storms, the temperatures have also been climbing. You have likely been running your air conditioning system to keep your home comfortable. Unfortunately, thunderstorms can pose a serious risk to your AC. Follow these handy tips when a strong storm hits and help protect your
Air Conditioner from the elements.

-Turn Off Your AC During Thunderstorms

Whenever possible turn off your air conditioner before a storm hits. Strong storms typically mean lightning. Electrical surges are common when lightning hits and you don’t want your AC’s electrical components destroyed, or risk a fire! If the weather is particularly hot, you can usually run your AC until the sky darkens. Keep in mind, however; lightning might be flashing before the rain comes so don’t wait that long, to turn off your unit.

-Cover Your AC Before A Storm

Covering your air conditioning unit can be a great option to help protect it during a strong storm. Fast winds, hail and flying debris can cause some serious damage to the exposed components on your unit. You can use a tarp or even a board to cover your AC, to help protect it when severe weather hits.

*Make sure your cover is secure so it doesn’t turn into debris itself to cause damage elsewhere, and after the storm passes, remove the covering before starting up your unit again.

-Clean Up Your Yard

Speaking of flying debris, cleaning up your yard is a great way to help reduce the amount of debris that can be tossed around. Well before a storm hits, pack away outdoor furniture, toys, your barbecue pit and anything else that’s not tied down. Clean up branches that might have fallen and remove anything else that could puncture your AC equipment. Collaborate with neighbors to clean up their yards as well. Storms have no respect for property lines!

*If the storm is already rolling in or you see lightning, it is best to skip this step. Your own safety is more important.

-Inspect and Clean Your AC Before Start-up

Once the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, it is a good idea to do a thorough inspection of your AC unit and refrigerant piping to check for damage. Be sure to clear any debris that might be covering your air conditioning unit. As long as you’re certain that the unit is free from damage and debris, turn it on and monitor to make sure it’s working as it should.

-Get Professional Help

If despite your best efforts, your unit or piping has been damaged, call us right away at (866)844-3770. We can also help you prepare for the storms ahead and reduce your equipments risk of being damaged.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

Remember how hot and miserable last summer was? Temperature records were broken all over the place and who knows what this summer will have in store for us! Your air conditioning is one of your best defenses against the summer heat and you do not want it to give up on you during a hot spell. So, whether you have already been running your AC unit or you are still holding out, now is the perfect time to schedule a tune-up.

Here Are Three Benefits of Scheduling an Air Conditioning Tune-Up

1. Helps Prevent Your Unit From Breaking Down When You Need it the Most

The temperatures will reach into the 90’s and 100’s several times this summer, we can basically bank on that fact. When the temperatures climb that high, you will want to know that your air conditioning unit will be able to keep up with the heat. Yearly maintenance and tune-ups are one of the best ways to help ensure that your AC will keep working for you when you need it the most.

2. Extends the Lifetime of Your Unit

If your unit is not properly maintained, it will likely fail you sooner than it should. This will mean that you will need to replace your AC well before you should have to. Annual tune-ups are an excellent way to save you money or needing to buy a new unit sooner than expected.

3. Saves You Money

Another way that AC tune-ups can save you money is on your energy bill. Annual maintenance helps to keep your Air Conditioning Unit running as efficiently as possible. The more efficient your AC is, the more money you will save on your energy bill.

Summer is approaching quickly, making now the best time to schedule your Air Conditioning Tune-Up and beat the rush!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

Luck and St. Patrick’s Day go together; however, when it comes to caring for your heating and cooling equipment, luck is not a great policy. Your air conditioner and furnace are major pieces of equipment inside your home and it is vital to stay up to date on maintenance to ensure they continue to run at optimal levels.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance:

-Helps extend the life of your heating and cooling equipment.
-Ensures that your equipment is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money.
-Serves as an early warning system for potential safety concerns that might arise.
-Improves your indoor air quality by keeping coils and blower parts in your AC cleaner.
-Decreases the costs and frequency of repairs.
-Can help to improve air circulation in your home.
-Creates better comfort control for your home.

Manufacturers typically recommend that you have your heating and cooling system serviced twice a year. Once in the fall/winter months for your heating equipment and once during the spring/summers months for your cooling equipment.

Maintenance is an important part of home ownership and you don’t want to leave your heating and cooling systems off your yearly maintenance checklist.

By performing yearly maintenance and regularly checking your equipment, you can greatly extend the life of your units. Plus, you can fix any small problems before they grow into large, expensive problems.

It’s advised that at the very least, you have your air conditioning unit cleaned and checked early each spring before the weather gets too warm. And you should have your furnace checked each fall in late September or early October, before the first freeze.

By having your heating and cooling units inspected each year, you can ensure that whenever it’s time to flip on your air conditioning or furnace, it will run smoothly. Remember, maintenance means fewer unpleasant surprises down the road.

Unfortunately, busy schedules can make it hard to remember to have your much needed yearly maintenance completed. A great way to stay on top of your heating and cooling maintenance schedule is to sign up for an annual club membership.

That way you can completely forget about your annual
maintenance schedule, because when it’s time for your systems to be maintenance, someone will contact you to remind you and help you schedule an appointment.

A club membership is the easiest way to ensure that your air conditioner and furnace remain at their top performance levels!

Being a homeowner comes with a lot of responsibilities and tough choices. Unfortunately, some of the decisions you may be making in your home can actually be costing you quite a bit of money. No worries, we are here to help you identify some of the most expensive mistakes made by homeowners and how to correct them.

The Most Expensive Mistakes You Are Making As A Homeowner:

1. Ignoring That Dripping Faucet.

How much damage could a small drip or leak really do? A lot more than you might think! You can waste up to 265 gallons of water per day, depending on how fast the faucet is dripping. This much water waste can really add up on your monthly water bill. Have dripping faucets and other leaks fixed right away to prevent your hard earned money from going down the drain!

2. Allowing Leaky Doors and Windows.

Doorways and windows require regular maintenance to help ensure that you are not wasting extra money on heating and cooling. To save money on your heating bill, it is important to make sure that your doorways and windows are properly sealed and caulked around the edges.

3. You Are Still Using Incandescent Light Bulbs.

Traditional incandescent bulbs require a greater amount of energy than more efficient models. You can see real savings on your power bill each month by switching to LED and energy efficient CFL bulbs.

4. Treating Your Air Filter like an After Thought.

Using the wrong size air filter or forgetting to change it regularly will force your heating and air conditioning system to work much harder, increasing the amount of money you are spending on your power bill. Additionally, failing to properly maintain your air filter will damage your heating and air conditioning system over time, causing costly repairs and shorten the system’s lifespan.

5. Failing to Properly Adjust Your Thermostat.

A benefit of being a homeowner is that you get to control the temperature of your home to fit
your specific comfort desires. However, there is no need for you to be wasting money on keeping your home at the perfect comfortable temperature when you are not there to enjoy it. You can see real savings by simply adjusting your thermostat 10 degrees before leaving for work.

Not to worry if you are not a fan of the idea of coming home to an uncomfortable house or you do not want to have to worry about adjusting your thermostat each morning. Wifi and programmable thermostats are great options if you want the power to control your temperature settings when you are not at home. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your thermostat.

6. Your Water Heater Settings Are Higher Than They Should Be.

Traditional water heaters, versus tankless water heaters, store and heat water around the clock. Which means your water heater is almost constantly using energy to keep a large tank of water heated and ready for use. So, if your temperature is set higher than it needs to be, you are wasting money needlessly. We recommend a water heater setting between 110-115 degrees to save you money on your power bill. You may also want to consider upgrading to a tankless water heater to save even more money.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

You probably do not give your furnace filter much thought but it plays an important role in keeping your family healthy and your HVAC system running efficiently. What makes your furnace filter so important? Take a deep breath. How is the air quality in your home? The condition of your furnace filter helps improve you and your family’s quality of living.

What does a furnace filter do?

There are different types of furnace filters ranging from basic to high efficiency models. The type of furnace filter used in your home will depend on the type of HVAC system in your home. However, the functions of any furnace filter are basically the same. Furnace filters are designed to work with your heating and cooling system to improve your indoor air quality.

Additionally, furnace filters also work to help protect and extend the life of your furnace. Debris and dust are drawn into your furnace through your return ducts and without a filter the debris will collect on the heat exchanger, fan, coil, etc. causing your unit to work longer and harder, leading to early system failure.

Why should you clean/replace your furnace filters regularly?

A dirty furnace filter means air has trouble flowing through your system. Greatly hindering the amount of heating and cooling your system can do. If your system cannot heat and cool properly your evaporator coil can freeze up if the across air flow is low, which can cause your AC unit to stop working altogether.

A worn out or dirty furnace filter will also affect the efficiency levels of your HVAC system. Your fan has to work so much harder to pull air through the dirty coil. Your HVAC system will consume more energy having to run longer and harder, costing you more money on your power bill. However, a clean furnace filter will allow air to flow freely through your HVAC system, saving energy and money, while still blocking pollutants and allergens.

Your furnace filter and your indoor air quality are intertwined. Once your filter becomes clogged with dust, air flow will be restricted, causing dust to settle throughout your ductwork. This dust will then be blown into the air you and your family breathe. Dust mites, bacteria and other allergens will be able to grow in your ductwork and be released into the air.

How can you ensure that your furnace filter is clean and functioning properly?

Your filter is located in your furnace and most are disposable. If you have a disposable filter, remember to change it every 1 to 3 months (although some filters may last up to six months) depending on the type of filter you have and the cleanliness of your system. There are a few other factors that will determine how frequently you will need to change your filter. For example, if you have pets, smoke or anyone in your home suffers from allergies; your filter should be changed more often. Additionally, fiberglass filters need to be changed sooner than pleated filters.

These disposable furnace filters are typically only capable of removing 3-5% of the debris and dust particles that pass through them. There are other options when it comes to furnace filters, some of these are permanent and more efficient. To learn more about these higher efficiency filters or to have any of your heating or cooling concerns addressed, call us at (866)844-3770.

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer here in the Midwest. The weather will slowly start to transition from hot, humid summer temperatures to cool, crisp autumn air. As we begin to move from one season to another, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you are ready for what is to come.

Life After Labor Day:

One important thing to keep in mind is that summer is ending, it is not over. You will want to hold off on packing up those summer clothes and you will likely want to keep using your AC for the next several weeks. The good news is that as the days start to become a little cooler, your AC will need to run less often to keep you and your family comfortable. Saving energy and money!

A ceiling fan will also go a long way in keeping your home comfortable over the next couple of months. Ceiling fans will help distribute the cooler air throughout your home, causing your AC to run less often.

Seasonal Allergies:

With the changing weather comes fall allergies, making this time of year rough for those of us who have to battle seasonal allergens. Ragweed, pollen, dust mites, all on top of all the other allergen triggers can turn the beautiful months of fall into a sneezing nightmare. While you may not be able to do much about the air outside, you can clean and purify the air you breathe inside your home.

Start by changing the air filter inside your furnace. Changing your air filter as recommended will not only greatly improve your indoor air quality, but it will also help your heating and cooling system run more efficiently.

The next step is to have a member of our team come out and thoroughly clean and sanitize your ductwork. Having your ducts cleaned is a great way to get the allergens and bacteria out of the air you and your family breathes. Call (866)844-3770 to schedule your duct cleaning today!

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day!

If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at: